- Must visit
Gemäldegalerie Alte Meister
World-class Old Masters gallery in the Zwinger, famous for Raphael’s Sistine Madonna and major European paintings.
Cheapest price
$71
Average price
$156
Fastest journey
5 h 53 m
Average duration
6 h 4 m
Trains per day
50
Distance
474 km
The best way to find a cheap train ticket from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf is to book your journey as far in advance as possible and to avoid traveling at rush hour.
The average ticket from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf will cost around $156 if you buy it on the day, but the cheapest tickets can be found for only $71.
Of the 50 trains that leave Cologne Hbf for Dresden Hbf on Sun, Jun 07, 1 travel direct so it’s quite easy to avoid journeys where you’ll have to change along the way.
On Sun, Jun 07 the direct trains cover the 474 km distance in an average of 6 h 4 m but if you time it right, some trains will get you there in just 5 h 53 m .
On Sun, Jun 07 the slowest trains will take 6 h 15 m and usually involve a change or two along the way, but you might be able to save a few pennies if you’re on a budget.
FlixTrain+
FlixBus
FlixTrain+
FlixBus
FlixTrain+
FlixBus
FlixTrain
ICE 521 · ICE 696 · 16513
ICE 513 · ICE 1557
ICE 511 · ICE 1555
S11 · ICE 219 · ICE 759
S6 · ICE 721 · ICE 596 · IC 2047
28514 · ICE 625 · ICE 1651Omio recommends booking the train as it is the most popular option from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf among Omio's users. If you are prioritising price take the bus with prices starting from $26. For those with little time consider booking a flight which can get you there in 3h 58m. The ticket price range depends on the travel mode: a bus costs an average of $26, and a flight costs an average of $375.
Distance: 294 miles (474 km)
Most popular Train | Bus | Flight | Driving |
|---|---|---|---|
$75 Average price | $41 Average price Cheapest | $539 Average price | $100 Average price (fuel + tolls) |
7h 38m Average total duration 7h 8m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 8h 58m Average total duration 8h 28m Onboard + 30m Additional time* | 6h 58m Average total duration Fastest 3h 58m Onboard + 3h 0m Additional time* | 5h 28m Average total duration (door-to-door) |
Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options | Direct Options |
This is compared to other travel options from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf:
A bus is $34 (€28) less than a train for this route with tickets for a train from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf costing on average $75 (€61).
A bus is $499 (€406) less than a flight for this route with tickets for a flight from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf costing on average $539 (€440).
Other travel options to Dresden Hbf take longer:
Train takes on average 7h 8m.
Bus takes on average 8h 28m.
Tickets start at around {cheapestPrice} compared to roughly {drivingPriceInCents} in fuel and tolls — a saving of about {savingsAmount}. The journey takes {durationInMinutes} versus {drivingDurationInMinutes} by car, so you'll arrive a bit later, but you can work, read, or sleep along the way rather than spending the time behind the wheel. You'll also save the hassle of parking at the other end.
Direct services run with FlixTrain.
Driving is worth it if you're on a tight schedule, travelling as a group, or want to stop somewhere en route.
The table below shows live departures for Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf trains for today, Saturday, June 6. You can also manually refresh the results below to see updated train journeys.
| Provider | Departs | Duration | Arrives | Transfers | Tickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ICE 921 · ICE 1555 | On time 3:49 AM Cologne Hbf | 7h58 | 11:47 AM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 541 · RJ 173 | 4:25 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h42 | 11:07 AM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 521 · ICE 696 · IC 2447 | On time 4:28 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h22 | 10:50 AM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 843 · IC 2175 | On time 5:26 AM Cologne Hbf | 7h02 | 12:28 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 511 · ICE 1555 | On time 5:48 AM Cologne Hbf | 5h59 | 11:47 AM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 543 · RJ 175 | 6:25 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h42 | 1:07 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
28504 · ICE 525 · ICE 694 · IC 2445 | On time 6:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h20 | 12:51 PM Dresden Hbf | 3 transfers | |
FlixTrain+ FlixBus | 8:14 AM Cologne Hbf | 9h26 | 5:40 PM Dresden, Bayrische Straße (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
ICE 11 · ICE 692 · IC 2443 | On time 8:19 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h31 | 2:50 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 545 · RJ 383 | 8:25 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h42 | 3:07 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
28508 · ICE 529 · ICE 692 · IC 2443 | On time 8:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h19 | 2:50 PM Dresden Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 121 · ICE 759 | On time 9:18 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h29 | 3:47 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 847 · IC 2179 | On time 9:26 AM Cologne Hbf | 7h02 | 4:28 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S11 · ICE 219 · ICE 759 | On time 9:47 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h00 | 3:47 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 547 · RJ 177 | 10:24 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h43 | 5:07 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1515 · ICE 690 · IC 2441 | On time 10:29 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h22 | 4:51 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
28512 · ICE 623 · ICE 690 · IC 2441 | On time 10:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h20 | 4:51 PM Dresden Hbf | 3 transfers | |
IC 2013 · ICE 1651 | On time 10:53 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h53 | 5:46 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 225 · ICE 1651 | On time 11:18 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h28 | 5:46 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 849 · IC 2271 · 16527 | On time 11:28 AM Cologne Hbf | 7h06 | 6:34 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
28514 · ICE 625 · ICE 1651 | On time 11:31 AM Cologne Hbf | 6h15 | 5:46 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
FlixTrain+ FlixBus | 12:14 PM Cologne Hbf | 9h21 | 9:35 PM Dresden, Bayrische Straße (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
ICE 549 · RJ 385 | 12:26 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h41 | 7:07 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1517 · ICE 598 · IC 2049 | On time 12:29 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h22 | 6:51 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
28516 · ICE 627 · ICE 598 · IC 2049 | On time 12:31 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h20 | 6:51 PM Dresden Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 123 · ICE 1653 | On time 1:18 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h28 | 7:46 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 941 · IC 2273 · 16531 | 1:27 PM Cologne Hbf | 7h07 | 8:34 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
28518 · ICE 629 · ICE 1653 | On time 1:31 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h15 | 7:46 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 641 · RJ 179 | On time 2:26 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h41 | 9:07 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 1519 · ICE 596 · 16533 | 2:29 PM Cologne Hbf | 7h05 | 9:34 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
S6 · ICE 721 · ICE 596 · 16533 | 2:37 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h57 | 9:34 PM Dresden Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 125 · ICE 1655 | On time 3:18 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h28 | 9:46 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 943 · IC 2045 | On time 3:28 PM Cologne Hbf | 7h22 | 10:50 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
28522 · ICE 723 · ICE 1655 | On time 3:31 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h15 | 9:46 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
FlixTrain+ FlixBus | 4:14 PM Cologne Hbf | 9h21 | 1:35 AM Dresden, Bayrische Straße (Hauptbahnhof) | 1 transfer | |
ICE 643 · IC 2435 · ICE 1567 | 4:26 PM Cologne Hbf | 7h20 | 11:46 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 1611 · ICE 594 · IC 2045 | On time 4:29 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h21 | 10:50 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
28524 · ICE 725 · ICE 594 · IC 2045 | On time 4:31 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h19 | 10:50 PM Dresden Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 127 · ICE 1567 | 5:18 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h28 | 11:46 PM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
28526 · ICE 727 · ICE 1567 | 5:31 PM Cologne Hbf | 6h15 | 11:46 PM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 947 · 3140 · 18401 · S2 | 7:27 PM Cologne Hbf | 10h41 | 6:08 AM Dresden Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 617 · EC 459 | On time 9:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 9h12 | 7:06 AM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
ICE 617 · IC 60409 · 16503 | 9:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 8h40 | 6:34 AM Dresden Hbf | 2 transfers | |
ICE 1541 · RJX 251 | On time 11:27 PM Cologne Hbf | 8h40 | 8:07 AM Dresden Hbf | 1 transfer | |
S6 · IC 60403 · ICE 698 · S5 | On time 11:37 PM Cologne Hbf | 9h14 | 8:51 AM Dresden Hbf | 4 transfers | |
26841 · 89999 · ICE 841 · RJ 173 | 11:49 PM Cologne Hbf | 11h18 | 11:07 AM Dresden Hbf | 4 transfers | |
ICE 619 · ICE 698 · S5 · IC 2449 | On time 11:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 8h57 | 8:51 AM Dresden Hbf | 3 transfers | |
ICE 2299 · ICE 698 · S5 · IC 2449 | On time 11:54 PM Cologne Hbf | 8h57 | 8:51 AM Dresden Hbf | 3 transfers | |
This is the last train of the day. | |||||
Find all the dates and times for this journey
Compare train, bus, and flight prices over the next three weeks. See the best deals at a glance, find the lowest fares, and choose the option that fits your budget.
Trains from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf run on average 8 times per day, taking around 7h 8m. Cheap train tickets for this journey start at $31 (€25) but you can travel from only $26 (€21) by bus.
There are 1 trains per day. The earliest train runs at 01:49, the last at 21:42. The fastest train covers the 294 miles (474 km) distance in 5h 55m.
Distance 294 miles (474 km) |
Average train duration 7h 8m |
Cheapest ticket price $31 (€25) |
Trains per day 8 |
Direct trains 1 |
Fastest train 5h 55m |
First train 1:49 AM |
Last train 9:42 PM |
Cheapest Month Mar |
Cheapest Day Thu |
High Season Oct - Dec |
Low Season Jul - Sep |
Busiest Day Wed |
Least Busy Day Thu |
Discover the best of Dresden Hauptbahnhof — top attractions, local food, transport tips, budget advice, and currency essentials. Plan your perfect Dresden Hauptbahnhof trip today.
World-class Old Masters gallery in the Zwinger, famous for Raphael’s Sistine Madonna and major European paintings.
The Green Vault displays extraordinary royal treasures, jewels, and Baroque decorative arts in Dresden Castle.
Major museum of modern and contemporary art plus sculpture, with important works from Romanticism to the present.
Riverside promenade known as the Balcony of Europe, offering classic views and easy access to major historic sites.
Reconstructed historic square around the Frauenkirche, central for architecture, photos, and city-center atmosphere.
Dresden’s traditional market square, important historically and often used for seasonal events and public gatherings.
Rich yeast bread with butter, dried fruit, candied peel and sugar, famously associated with Dresden and especially traditional at Christmas.
Classic Saxon sheet cake with a base, quark layer and fluffy egg-butter topping, especially beloved in Dresden cafés and bakeries.
Saxon-style marinated pot roast, usually served with red cabbage and dumplings, a traditional hearty regional Sunday dish.
Upscale dining venue in central Dresden, recognized for refined regional cuisine and an elegant setting.
Long-running traditional Dresden restaurant serving hearty Saxon and German dishes in a rustic, gemütlich setting.
Established Saxon restaurant in historic vaulted rooms, known for regional specialties and a traditional atmosphere popular with visitors.
Moderate for Germany. Budget eats are affordable, while hotels and central restaurants cost more.
Service is usually included. Round up small bills, or tip about 5-10% in restaurants for good service. Round up taxis. No tip needed for fast food.
Official public transport app
Dresden Hauptbahnhof, Dresden -> Altmarkt, Dresden
Find answers to the most common questions about traveling from Cologne Hbf to Dresden Hbf by train. From journey times and ticket prices to direct connections, first and last departures, and even whether the route is scenic, our FAQs cover everything you need to plan your trip. Whether you’re looking for the fastest train, the cheapest option, or tips for making the most of your visit at Dresden Hbf, this guide helps you travel smarter and with confidence.

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